Reprieve for Babu as court releases him on Sh10 million cash bail

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino at the Milimani Law court during his bail ruling. [George Njunge, Standard]

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has been released on a Sh10 million cash bail in a case where he is accused of shooting Felix Orinda alias DJ Evolve at a city club on January 17.

Milimani Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi directed the MP to deposit the cash bail in four installments of Sh2.5 million each in the next three months to settle Felix Orinda alias DJ Evolve's medical bill.

 The magistrate also barred Babu from taking alcoholic drink or narcotic drug in a public establishment during the pendency of the case.

Andayi ruled that Orinda’s family was unable to settle the hospital bill accruing at the Nairobi hospital where he was admitted after allegedly being shot by the MP.

Babu was on January 20 committed to remand after denying unlawfully attempting to cause the death of a Nairobi DJ and carrying a firearm while drunk and disorderly after shooting at Nairobi’s B-Club on January 17.

Andayi declined a request to have the legislator detained at the Gigiri Police Station where he had been held since being arrested and instead committed him to Industrial Area Remand Prison.

Babu was accused of unlawfully attempting kill Orinda after shooting him in the neck, contrary to Section 222 of the Penal Code.

Owino also faced a second charge arising from his disorderly conduct while armed, the prosecution telling the court the legislator violated Sections 33 and 31 (1) of the Firearms Act.

The Act (Section 33) prescribes imprisonment for a term not exceeding a year, a fine not exceeding Sh10,000 or both for any person found guilty of carrying a firearm while drunk or disorderly.

Babu’s lawyer, Cliff Ombeta had filed an application for the release of the MP asking the court instead to restrict him from B-Club, the scene of crime, where the prosecution said potential witnesses worked.

CCTV footage from the club showed a man believed to be the legislator shooting the DJ, while smoking shisha, and surrounded by friends.

The DJ is still recuperating at Nairobi Hospital following surgeries to remove the bullet that was lodged in his neck.